Aug. 5, 2016
SAN DIEGO – San Diego State men's golf head coach Ryan Donovan bolstered the team's roster for the 2016-17 season with the addition of incoming freshmen Eric Ghim and Ryan Hoffenberg. Ghim, who graduated from Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix, Ariz., will arrive on campus later this month along with Hoffenberg, who prepped at Royal High in Simi Valley, Calif.
"We are thrilled to welcome Eric and Ryan to the Aztec family," Donovan said. "Both players are extremely hard workers and we can't wait for them to help continue the successful tradition that we've established here."
In April 2015, Ghim was ranked No. 32 on Golfweek's list of top 50 recruits for the class of 2016 and has been listed among the top 50 in the Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS) rankings.
Ghim captured the Arizona Public Links Championship in March 2015 at Randolph North Golf Course in Tucson, posting a 2-under-par 208 to win by five strokes. He also logged three additional top-10 finishes that year, tying for the seventh spot at the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic with a 1-over 214. In addition, Ghim competed in both the U.S. Amateur and Western Junior Championship.
In July 2014, Ghim qualified for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, finishing as co-medalist during sectional play at Aguila Golf Course in Phoenix. That summer, he also tied for the runner-up position at the Bishop's Gate Golf Academy Junior Classic in Oxnard, Calif.
In addition, Ghim has excelled on the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) circuit, logging six wins since 2012, including a victory in the boys' championship at the 2015 Thunderbird Invitational in Phoenix. He also emerged triumphant at the Tucson Junior City Championship and the Mesa Junior City Championship in 2014.
As a prep performer, Ghim captured all-state honors on three occasions. He posted a third-place individual finish as a junior at the Arizona Division 1 state championship and took fourth as a sophomore.
"Eric possesses all the tools necessary to contribute immediately," Donovan said. "He is an excellent ball striker and has a natural feel for the game."
Hoffenberg, meanwhile, follows in the footsteps of his older brother Matt, a former Aztec standout who played on two teams that qualified for the NCAA Championships after capturing Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors in 2008.
Ryan Hoffenberg seems primed for similar success after earning first-team all-CIF recognition on two occasions at Royal High and was twice named the squad's most valuable player. He also garnered first-team all-Coast Canyon League accolades, helping the Highlanders win three Ventura County titles along with a pair of league championships.
"Ryan's game has evolved quickly and he has vast potential," Donovan said. "He has increased his distance off the tee lately and has become more proficient around the greens."
In addition to his golf talents, Hoffenberg excelled in football, receiving all-conference distinction and was named his squad's defensive back of the year.
San Diego State finished with a No. 27 ranking by Golfstat last season after making its third appearance at the NCAA Championships in the last five years.